D'Angelines' housewarming / Phedre's birthday

[loveasthouwilt]

The sun was going down, and the house was finally ready for guests. I stood in front of the mirror in Joscelin's and my bedchamber, surveying myself one last time before returning to the main room where already, Karolina, Bill and Mohinder were helping the preparations. My dress was one I'd loved for quite some time, a long low-backed gown of black

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[loveasthouwilt]

The night was still young, but I thought I could say for a fair certainty that it was a success. I had a beautiful room, guests who were enjoying themselves, and an abundance of food and drink to keep them occupied. For that matter, I had a drink of my own that needed refilling-- the Starks' hard cider was delicious, and I felt myself in need of another cup. Standing at the cask with the ladle in hand I sensed someone behind me. "Wait your turn," I teased, half-turning my head to see who it was out of the corner of my eye.

[misanthrope_md]

"What if I'm here for you and not the booze?"

House stood behind her, a strange mix of well-groomed and haggard. Despite the fact that it was clear he was freshly showered, and the shirt underneath his sports coat was free of wrinkles, he looked as if he hadn't slept in days.

[loveasthouwilt]

"Then I would still say wait your turn," I replied, a smile curving one side of my mouth. "The cup was here first." I set the ladle down carefully next to the cask, taking my time turning to face him. He had taken care to dress well, and indeed I still found him as attractive as I ever had; but that did not stop me noticing the exhaustion lining his eyes. I was not about to speak on it where others might hear, though, so instead I held the cup out to him with a smile and got another for myself. "Your hands are empty; have you heard nothing of how D'Angelines throw a party?"

[misanthrope_md]

"Oh, I could make a pretty good guess how you guys party," House admitted with a small smirk, but handed the cup back to her anyway. "I'm not planning to stay long, and probably best if I keep my wits about me."

[loveasthouwilt]

"Not even one?" I pressed the cup back toward him, knowing myself near beseeching, not bothering to care. "Toast my birthday with me, Greg. I promise if you lose your wits I will see you home safely myself." In truth tonight I had no thought to anyone's prudence or lack thereof; I was not yet drunk on alcohol, but everything about tonight had put me so in mind of Terre d'Ange I was near dizzy with happiness.

[misanthrope_md]

"Okay, one." He took it from her, knowing full well just how much he'd had to drink before he'd made an utter idiot of himself with Jack on Mardi Gras. It was just the stopping at one that was the problem, but given the circumstances, he could probably control himself. Even if his leg was killing him and he'd prefer to drink himself into oblivion.

He held up the cup in a toast. "Joyeux Anniversaire."

[loveasthouwilt]

"Merci trés beaucoup." I sipped from the cup, eyeing him over the rim. I felt I wanted to speak, but hadn't any idea what I wanted to say-- his glib sarcasm was far easier to answer than the serious quiet that seemed to cling to him tonight. My cup was empty sooner than his, and I put it down on the table with a rueful smile.

[misanthrope_md]

"I'm not going to ask how old you are," House added after taking a sip. "But you look fucking gorgeous tonight. Can I say that without your nordic cologne ad boyfriend beating me up?"

[loveasthouwilt]

"I would not tell you the truth even if you did ask." I indulged myself in a little smirk, tossing my hair over my shoulder with a flick of my hand. "And you ought to know by now you may say anything you like to me. Even if Joscelin were to hear, 'tis I who would have to explain your bad behavior." I smiled slyly at him and added, "But since he is on the other side of the room, you may speak freely."

[misanthrope_md]

"In that case," House said, "you're fucking gorgeous and that dress makes me want to do incredibly filthy things to you." He held up the glass again. "And see, it's not even the alcohol talking." Just ill-advised brutal honestly. Well, maybe not so ill-advised, since he knew perfectly well that nothing could come of it.

[loveasthouwilt]

My eyebrow arched and I leaned back against the table, the better to look up and meet his eyes. "I wonder, does it ease the itch or madden it, seeing the dress already knowing what's under it?" Not that my gown left a terrible amount to the imagination, but it was certainly more modest by comparison to others he'd seen me in.

[misanthrope_md]

House groaned. "Now you're just being cruel," he said. He had a very vivid memory indeed of what was underneath that dress, and moreover, what she could do with it.

[loveasthouwilt]

"I am," I allowed, grinning. "But as it is my birthday, I'm sure you will indulge me. After all, it's not as if you don't enjoy it." He was always fun to tease; and even more fun to be teased by.

[misanthrope_md]

"If I recall, you're the masochist of the two of us," House pointed out dryly.

[loveasthouwilt]

"True enough. But one does not have to enjoy pain to enjoy being taunted and flirted with by a beautiful woman," I said, grinning. "Especially not one of whose attraction you have ample proof."

[cantstopmoving]

"Is that any way to talk to someone who's brought you a gift?" Dick slides up behind her, putting his hands in front of her eyes in a playful tease. He knows her now, and she knows him, even if they don't know very much about each other. And there is a gift, in the pocket of his jacket, chosen from his holiday present, just for her.